Contending earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints.

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Book Reviewer for Moody Publishers and Tyndale

Question 6: Is it right or ok to command God?

***DISCLAIMER*** The following is far from an exhaustive post. Instead, it makes a best effort to answer the question.

Recently I was asked if it was ok or right to command God. Below is my response.

RESPONSE

The short answer to that question is no. It is neither right nor ok to command God.

For a more in-depth answer, one must look to Scripture.

Scripture is silent on whether or not it is right/ok to verbatim command God. From a logical standpoint, to command anyone to do something is to elevate one’s self above the one being commanded. God is the maker of heaven and earth (Psalm 115:15). He sent His Son Jesus Christ, the only way by which mankind may be saved, to die on the cross and rise from the dead to pay the penalty for our sins and purchase a place in heaven for us while we were yet sinners (Isaiah 53:6; John 1:29; 1 Timothy 1:15; Acts 4:12; Romans 5:8; Isaiah 43:11; Hosea 11:9, 13:4). He also does as He pleases (Psalm 115:3). Conversely, man is both a created being and a sinner who cannot save himself (Romans 3:23, 6:23). Even penitent believers in Christ wrestle with a sin nature (Romans 7:1-25; 1 John 1:10). For a created being, believer or non-believer, to command God is simply wrong, inappropriate and even satanic (see also Isaiah 14:12-15).

Sadly, many false teachers give the impression that it is ok to command God. Most of this stems from a heresy known as the Word-Faith movement. GotQuestions.Org has an article on the movement here. Other teachers that promote this heresy in one way or another include Joyce Meyer, Creflo Dollar, Joel Osteen and Levi Lusko, among others (the aforementioned article mentions some of those other teachers).

An alternative to commanding God that is much better and, more importantly, biblical, would be praying to God. Instead of commanding God to do as we please, we pray that His will would be done. In fact, Jesus Christ gave us a great model for praying in Matthew 6:5-13 (NASB):

5 “When you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites; for they love tostand and pray in the synagogues and on the street cornersso that they may be seen by men.Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full.6 But you, when you pray,go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, andyour Father who seeswhat is donein secret will reward you.

7 “And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for theirmany words.8 So do not be like them; foryour Father knows what you need before you ask Him.

9 “Pray, then, in this way:

‘Our Father who is in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.10 ‘Your kingdom come.
Your will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.11 ‘Give us this day our daily bread.12 ‘And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.13 ‘And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. [For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.’]

Instead of commanding God to do whatever we ask, we pray that His will would be done. The apostle Paul said to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17). 1 Peter 5:7 states we can cast our anxieties on Him because He cares (see also Philippians 4:6-7). While commanding God has a self-serving attitude that elevates the creation over the Creator (and is thus heretical), praying to God focuses on Him and His will. Therefore, commanding God is neither ok nor right. Instead, praying to Him is best.

I am a sinner saved by grace who was once deceived by false teaching. This blog aims to compare the latest and greatest in the Christian world (as well as blatantly false religions that are far from Christian) to God's Word, which is our ultimate authority and the one book outlining the ONE way by which mankind may be saved (2 Timothy 3:16-17; Numbers 23:19; Proverbs 14:21; John 6:47; 14:6; Acts 4:12).
If you ever have questions or comments on anything you read here, feel free to email me at die2myself@gmail.com.
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